Silicon Labs BRD4309B User Manual

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko
Module Radio Board User's Guide

A Wireless Starter Kit with the BRD4309B Radio Board is an ex­cellent starting point to get familiar with the xGM210Lx22

Wireless
Gecko Module. It also provides the necessary tools for developing
a Silicon Labs wireless application.

BRD4309B contains the xGM210Lx22 Module, and it is a plug-in board for the Wireless
Starter Kit Mainboard.

The Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard contains an on-board J-Link debugger with a Packet
Trace Interface and a virtual COM port, enabling application development and debugging
the attached radio board as well as external hardware. The mainboard also contains
sensors and peripherals for easy demonstration of some of the xGM210L's many capa­bilities.

This document describes how to use the BRD4309B Radio Board together with a Wire­less Starter Kit Mainboard.

BRD4309B RADIO BOARD FEATURES

• xGM210L Wireless Gecko Module with
1024 kB Flash, 96 kB RAM, integrated
chip antenna and connector for external
antenna, RF matching networks, crystals,
and supply decoupling (part no.
MGM210L022JIF2).

WIRELESS STK MAINBOARD FEA

• Advanced Energy Monitor

• Packet T

• Virtual COM port

• SEGGER J-Link on-board debugger

• External device debugging

• Ethernet and USB connectivity

• Silicon Labs Si7021 relative humidity and
temperature sensor

• Low Power 128x128 pixel Memory LCD

• User LEDs / pushbuttons

• 20-pin 2.54 mm EXP header

• Breakout pads for Module I/O

• CR2032 coin cell battery support

SOFTWARE SUPPORT

race Interface

TURES

• Simplicity Studio™

• Energy Profiler

•

Network Analyzer

• iOS and Android applications

ORDERING INFORMATION

• SLWRB4309B

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ................................

1.1 Radio Boards ..............................4

1.2 Ordering Information ...........................4

1.3 Getting Started .............................4

4

2. Hardware Overview .............................5

2.1 Hardware Layout .............................5

2.2 Block Diagram..............................6

3. Connectors ................................7

3.1 J-Link USB Connector ...........................7

3.2 Ethernet Connector ............................7

3.3 Breakout Pads .............................8

3.4 EXP Header ..............................9

3.4.1 EXP Header Pinout ..........................10

3.5 Debug Connector.............................11

3.6 Simplicity Connector............................12

3.7 Debug Adapter .............................13

4. Power Supply and Reset .......................... 14

4.1 Radio Board Power Selection ........................14

4.2 Board Controller Power...........................15

4.3 xGM210L Reset .............................15

5. Peripherals ............................... 16

5.1 Push Buttons and LEDs ..........................16

5.2 Virtual COM Port .............................17

5.2.1 Host Interfaces ...........................18

5.2.2 Serial Configuration ..........................18

5.2.3 Hardware Handshake .........................19

6. Board Controller ............................. 20

6.1 Admin Console .............................20

6.1.1 Connecting .............................20

6.1.2 Built-in Help ............................20

6.1.3 Command Examples .........................21

6.2 Virtual UART ..............................21

7. Advanced Energy Monitor ......................... 22

7.1 Introduction...............................22

7.2 Theory of Operation ............................22

7.3 AEM Accuracy and Performance .......................23

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 2

7.4 Usage ................................23

8. On-Board Debugger ............................ 24

8.1 Host Interfaces .............................24

8.1.1 USB Interface ............................24

8.1.2 Ethernet Interface ..........................24

8.1.3 Serial Number Identification .......................24

8.2 Debug Modes ..............................25

8.3 Debugging During Battery Operation ......................26

9. Kit Configuration and Upgrades ....................... 27

9.1 Firmware Upgrades ............................27

10. Schematics, Assembly Drawings, and BOM .................. 28

11. Kit Revision History ........................... 29

11.1 SLWRB4309B Revision History .......................29

12. Document Revision History ........................ 30

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 3

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Introduction

1. Introduction

The xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module is featured on a radio board that plugs directly into a Wireless Starter Kit (WSTK) Main­board. The mainboard features several tools for easy evaluation and development of wireless applications. An on-board J-Link debug­ger enables programming and debugging on the target device over USB or Ethernet. The Advanced Energy Monitor (AEM) offers real­time current and voltage monitoring. A virtual COM port interface (VCOM) provides an easy-to-use serial port connection over USB or
Ethernet. The Packet Trace Interface (PTI) offers invaluable debug information about transmitted and received packets in wireless links.

All debug functionality, including AEM, VCOM, and PTI, can also be used towards external target hardware instead of the attached ra­dio board.

To further enhance its usability, the mainboard contains sensors and peripherals that demonstrate some of the many capabilities of the
xGM210Lx22. A 20-pin expansion header (EXP header) is also provided that allows connection of expansion boards (EXP boards) to
the kit.

1.1 Radio Boards

A Wireless Starter Kit consists of one or more mainboards and radio boards that plug into the mainboard. Different radio boards are
available, each featuring different Silicon Labs devices with different operating frequency bands.

Because the mainboard is designed to work with all different radio boards, the actual pin mapping from a device pin to a mainboard
feature is done on the radio board. This means that each radio board has its own pin mapping to the Wireless Starter Kit features, such
as buttons, LEDs, the display, the EXP header and the breakout pads. Because this pin mapping is different for every radio board, it is
important that the correct document be consulted which shows the kit features in context of the radio board plugged in.

This document explains how to use the Wireless Starter Kit when the xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board (BRD4309B)
is combined with a Wireless STK Mainboard. The combination of these two boards is hereby referred to as a Wireless Starter Kit (Wire­less STK).

1.2 Ordering Information

BRD4309B can be obtained as a separate radio board, SLWRB4309B. The radio board is intended to be used together with a Wireless
STK Mainboard that can be obtained with any Silicon Labs Wireless Starter Kit.

Table 1.1. Ordering Information

Part Number Description Contents

SLWRB4309B xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio

Board

1.3 Getting Started

Detailed instructions for how to get started can be found on the Silicon Labs web pages:

http://www.silabs.com/start-xgm210

1x BRD4309B xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 4

Radio Board

Breakout pads

Breakout pads

1.28" Memory-LCD Display

Ultra-low power
128 x 128 pixel resolution
SPI interface

Ethernet RJ-45

J-Link Debugger
Virtual COM port
Packet Trace
Advanced Energy Monitoring

USB Mini-B

J-Link

Debugger
Virtual COM port
Packet Trace
Advanced Energy Monitoring

Coin Cell Holder

CR2032 Battery

Power Select Switch

BAT / USB / AEM

2x User Push Buttons

2x User LEDs

Simplicity Connector

Virtual COM port
Packet Trace
Advanced Energy Monitoring

Debug Connector

ARM Coresight 19-pin
OUT: External targets
IN: External debug probes

Reset Button

Si7021

Relative Temperature &
Humidity Sensor

EXP Header

Expansion

board connector

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

2. Hardware Overview

2.1 Hardware Layout

The layout of the xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Wireless Starter Kit is shown in the figure below.

Hardware Overview

Figure 2.1. Kit Hardware Layout

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 5

2.2 Block Diagram

Wireless STK Mainboard

USB Mini-B

Connector

RJ-45 Ethernet

Connector

Debug

UART

Packet Trace

AEM

Debug

UART

ETM Trace

Packet Trace

AEM

Debug

UART

Packet Trace

AEM

Simplicity

Connector

Debug

Connector

Board

Controller

Multiplexer

OUT

IN

MCU

xGM210L

Module

GPI

O

EXP

Header

User Buttons

& LEDs

GPIO

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Hardware Overview

An overview of the xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Wireless Starter Kit is shown in the figure below

.

Figure 2.2. Kit Block Diagram

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 6

Simplicity
Connector

Debug
Connector

GND

GND

5V

5V

P25

P24

P27

P26

P29

P28

P31

P30

P33

P32

P35

P34

P37

P36

P39

P38

P41

P40

P43

P42

P45

P44

GND

GND

NC

NC

Radio Board

Connectors

EXP Header

GND

GND

VMCU

VMCU

P1

P0

P3

P2

P5

P4

P7

P6

P9

P8

P1

1

P10

P13

P12

P15

P14

P17

P16

P19

P18

P21

P20

GND

GND

P23

P22

VRF

VRF

3V3

3V3

Ethernet
Connector

J-Link USB
Connector

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Connectors

3. Connectors

This chapter gives you an overview of the Wireless STK Mainboard connectivity. The placement of the connectors are shown in the
figure below.

Figure 3.1. Mainboard Connector Layout

3.1 J-Link USB Connector

J-Link

The
supported through this USB interface when connected to a host computer, such features include:

• Debugging and programming of the target device using the on-board J-Link debugger

• Communication with the target device over the virtual COM port using USB-CDC

• Accurate current profiling using the AEM

In addition to providing access to development features of the kit, this USB connector is also the main power source for the kit. USB 5V
from this connector powers the board controller and the AEM. It is recommended that the USB host be able to supply at least 500 mA
to this connector, although the actual current required will vary depending on the application.

3.2 Ethernet Connector

The Ethernet connector provides access to all of the Wireless Starter Kit's development features over TCP/IP. The Ethernet interface
provides some additional development features to the user. Supported features include:

• Debugging and programming of the target device using the on-board J-Link debugger

• Communication with the target device over the virtual COM port using TCP/IP socket 4901

• "VUART" communication with the target device over the debug SWD/SWO interface using TCP/IP socket 4900

• Accurate current profiling using the AEM

• Real-time radio packet and network analysis using the Packet Trace Interface

• Access to advanced configuration options using the admin console over TCP/IP socket 4902

Note: The Wireless Starter Kit cannot be powered using the Ethernet connector, so in order to use this interface, the USB connector
must be used to provide power to the board.

USB connector is situated on the left side of the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard. Most of the kit's development features are

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 7

3.3 Breakout Pads

GND

VMCU

P23 / NC

P21 / NC

P19 / NC

P17 / NC

GND

P15 / PD00 / VCOM_ENABLE

P13 / NC / EXP16 / I2C_SDA

P11 / PC01 / EXP14 / VCOM_RX

P9 / PC00 / EXP12 / VCOM_TX

P7 / NC / EXP10

P5 / NC / EXP8

P3 / NC / EXP6

P1 / NC / EXP4

VRF

GND

VMCU

NC / P22

DBG_TDO_SWO / PA03 / P20

DBG_TMS_SWDIO / PA02 / P18

DBG_TCK_SWCLK / PA01 / P16

GND

NC / P14

I2C_SCL / EXP15 / NC / P12

EXP13 / NC / P10

EXP11 / NC / P8

BTN1+LED1 / EXP9 / PD01 / P6

BTN0+LED0 / EXP7 / PA04 / P4

EXP5 / NC / P2

EXP3 / NC / P0

VRF

BOTTOM EDGE

GNDGND

5V5V

NCNC

P45 / NCNC / P44

P43 / NCNC / P42

P41 / NCNC / P40

3V33V3

P39 / NCNC / P38

P37 / NC / SENSOR_ENABLENC / P36

P35 / PC05 / PTI_SYNCNC / P34

P33 / PC04 / PTI_DATANC / P32

P31 / PC03 / VCOM_CTSNC / P30

P29 / PC02 / VCOM_RTSNC / P28

P27 / NCNC / P26

P25 / NCNC / P24

GNDGND

TOP EDGE

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Connectors

Most pins

of the xGM210L are routed from the radio board to breakout pads at the top and bottom edges of the Wireless STK Main­board. A 2.54 mm pitch pin header can be soldered on for easy access to the pins. The figure below shows you how the pins of the
xGM210L map to the pin numbers printed on the breakout pads. To see the available functions on each, refer to the data sheet for
MGM210L022JIF2.

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 8

Figure 3.2. Breakout Pad Pin Mapping

3.4 EXP Header

12

4

8
6

10

3

5

9
7

12

13

14

11

1516

17

18

20 19

VMCU

NC

NC

NC

NC

UART_TX / PC00

UART_RX / PC01

NC

5V

3V3

GND

NC

NC

P

A04 / GPIO

PD01 / GPIO

NC

NC

NC

BOARD_ID_SDA
BOARD_ID_SCL

Reserved (Board Identification)

xGM210L I/O Pin

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Connectors

The EXP

header is an angled 20-pin expansion header provided to allow connection of peripherals or plugin boards to the kit. It is loca­ted on the right-hand side of the mainboard, and it contains a number of I/O pins that can be used with most of the xGM210L Wireless
Gecko's features. Additionally, the VMCU, 3V3, and 5V power rails are also exported.

The connector follows a standard which ensures that commonly used peripherals, such as an SPI, a UART, and an I2C bus, are availa­ble on fixed locations in the connector. The rest of the pins are used for general purpose IO. This allows the definition of expansion
boards (EXP boards) that can plug into a number of different Silicon Labs Starter Kits.

The figure below shows the pin assignment of the EXP header. Because of limitations in the number of available GPIO pins, some of
the EXP header pins are shared with kit features.

Figure 3.3. EXP Header

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 9

3.4.1 EXP Header Pinout

UG396: xGM210Lx22 Wireless Gecko Module Radio Board User's Guide

Connectors

The pin-routing

on the xGM210L is very flexible, so most peripherals can be routed to any pin. However, many pins are shared between
the EXP header and other functions on the Wireless STK Mainboard. The table below includes an overview of the mainboard features
that share pins with the EXP header.

Table 3.1. EXP Header Pinout

Pin Connection EXP Header Function Shared Feature Peripheral Mapping

20 3V3 Board controller supply

18 5V Board USB voltage

16 NC -

14 PC01 UART_RX VCOM_RX USART0_RX

12 PC00 UART_TX VCOM_TX USART0_TX

10 NC -

8 NC -

6 NC -

4 NC -

2 VMCU xGM210L voltage domain, included in AEM measurements.

19 BOARD_ID_SDA Connected to the board controller for identification of add-on boards.

17 BOARD_ID_SCL Connected to the board controller for identification of add-on boards.

15 NC -

13 NC -

11 NC -

9 PA04 GPIO BTN0+LED0

7 PD01 GPIO BTN1+LED1

5 NC -

3 NC -

1 GND Ground

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 1.0 | 10